India Pledges $450 Million Reconstruction Package for Sri Lanka Post-Cyclone Ditwah
Key Highlights
- India announced a $450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread damage.
- The package includes $350 million in concessional credit and $100 million in grants, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- India began relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu on the day the cyclone made landfall.
India on Tuesday announced a $450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread damage across the island nation.
The announcement was made during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Colombo, where he met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlining India’s proposed assistance.
Aid Structure and Diplomatic Engagement
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar said the assistance package would comprise $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in grants. He said the package was being finalised in consultation with the Sri Lankan government to address sectors most affected by the cyclone.
Breaking: India announces $450 m support package for cyclone impacted Sri Lanka. EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, India stands with Sri Lanka.
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 23, 2025
Full speech in Colombo https://t.co/3hDpoWQTmh
Jaishankar said discussions with Sri Lankan leaders focused on assessing the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the timeline for delivering assistance. He referred to India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies while noting that New Delhi had extended support to Colombo during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis.
Relief Operations Under Operation Sagar Bandhu
According to Jaishankar, India began relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu on the day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.
Indian naval vessels, including INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, were deployed to Colombo to deliver relief materials. Helicopters were used to support logistical operations and access affected areas, he said.
The Indian Air Force deployed MI-17 helicopters, which remained operational in Sri Lanka for over two weeks, assisting in relief and transportation efforts across cyclone-affected regions.
Disaster Response and Medical Assistance
An 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was also dispatched to Sri Lanka to support rescue and relief operations, Jaishankar said, adding that the teams worked in coordination with the Sri Lankan authorities.
India’s assistance included emergency healthcare support. Jaishankar said the Indian Army established a field hospital near Kandy, staffed by 85 medical personnel, which provided emergency treatment to more than 8,000 people affected by the cyclone.
In addition, two modular BHISHM emergency care units were airlifted to Sri Lanka and deployed to support local medical services during the relief phase.
Scale of Humanitarian Assistance
Detailing the scale of the operation, Jaishankar said India delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing, and water purification supplies.
He added that 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment were provided, along with an additional 60 tonnes of equipment to assist ongoing relief efforts.
Furthermore, he also stated that restoring connectivity and essential services was identified as an immediate priority. This was an issue which was discussed earlier between President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi during a recent telephone conversation.
Next Steps in Reconstruction
Jaishankar said Indian authorities had been directed to coordinate closely with the Sri Lankan government during the reconstruction phase to ensure assistance aligned with Colombo’s priorities.
The cyclone caused extensive damage to housing, transport infrastructure, and public utilities in several parts of Sri Lanka, prompting calls for international assistance to support recovery and rebuilding. Sri Lankan officials did not immediately provide a timeline for the implementation of the reconstruction package, but Jaishankar said consultations were ongoing to finalise project details, as cited by
The Hans.
India has been among the countries providing humanitarian and financial assistance to Sri Lanka in recent years, including during the island nation’s economic crisis that peaked in 2022.
